LEND A HAND: Without an assist, couple might have been evicted

Natalie and Adam were a couple living in a small apartment in Quincy. They were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child, but a death in the family pushed tem to the brink of homelessness. That's where Lend A Hand came in

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

Writer

Posted Dec. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 28, 2013 at 12:19 PM

Posted Dec. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 28, 2013 at 12:19 PM

» Social News

One in a series of stories chronicling the needs of South Shore residents who will benefit from The Patriot Ledger's Lend a Hand holiday fundraising campaign.

Natalie and Adam were a couple living in a small apartment in Quincy. They were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child, and Adam was in school for his HVAC certificate.

In March 2013, Natalie’s father died, and the couple were left to shoulder the costs of high medical and funeral bills. At the same time, they were juggling their own bills and expenses and Adam’s tuition costs.

They fell a month behind on their rent and owed the landlord $950. They had always prided themselves on being financially independent, and Natalie said they were embarrassed to ask Quincy Community Action Programs for help.

Patriot Ledger donations to Lend a Hand allowed the agency to cover the back rent so they could get back on track. Natalie is now home with their baby while Adam is a chef for a catering company. He has just a few more weeks in his HVAC program; after finishing, he’ll pursue a job in that field.

Had it not been for Lend a Hand, Natalie and Adam could have faced eviction and homelessness. Fortunately, the Patriot Ledger community was there to provide the extra help that enabled them to focus their attention on baby clothes and their future.

Source: Quincy Community Action Programs

Editor’s note: Names have been changed in most cases to protect the family’s privacy.